Shortt's Bar & Lounge

You will find Shortt's Bar in the main street of Feakle, a small village tucked away among the patchwork fields and hills of East Clare. Feakle is a major centre for traditional music, hosting an international traditional music festival in August every year. It's not only in August that people come to Feakle for the music. Visitors come all year round to listen to that lilting, sweet East Clare style.

There has been music in Shortt's for years. Quite possibly for more years than any other pub in Clare. Or, for that matter, in Ireland. Music began here in the 1970s when Lena Hanrahan was proprietor and the pub was called (surprisingly) Lena's. Lena is still coming to the pub to listen to the music on a Thursday night when Seamus Bugler hosts the session. Seamus has been playing accordion in Shortt's for years, most of that time in the company of flute player Paddy O'Donoghue.

The number of musicians who have passed through this pub would be too many to list. Gerry will always give musicians a great welcome. And dancers. Gerry dances sets himself, and there's a proper dance floor for anyone who's feeling energetic. The musicians are certainly always ready to play.

World record holder for longest running traditional music ssession. The session has run unbroken every Thursday night for 36 years. As a result, the pub has become a haven for musicians young and old for song and dance and to enjoy our greatest gift - music.